by our College Data Analytics TeamWith all of the graduate school options in Hawaii, narrowing things down is no easy task. Our ranking highlights 17 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed graduate schools on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Your ideal graduate school depends on your goals. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
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Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
Leading the list is University Of Hawaii At Manoa, our #1 graduate school in Hawaii. Set in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,181. Typical student debt is $20,577.
You'll be in good company at Hawaii Pacific University, which ranked #2 this year. Hawaii Pacific University is a private not-for-profit school based in Honolulu, HI. About 35% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $34,392 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $49,182. Students borrow a median of $25,385 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Kapiolani Community College, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Honolulu, HI, Kapiolani Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. Kapiolani Community College students take on a median of $14,738 in debt.
The strong outcomes at University Of Hawaii West Oahu earned it the #4 place in Hawaii. University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a public school based in Kapolei, HI. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,584, while out-of-state students pay about $20,544. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,082. University Of Hawaii West Oahu students take on a median of $19,957 in debt.
Brigham Young University Hawaii came in at #5 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Hawaii. Set in Laie, HI, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a private not-for-profit institution. About 50% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630. Early-career graduates earn a median of $41,461.
Chaminade University Of Honolulu did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in Honolulu, HI, Chaminade University Of Honolulu is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $30,874. Median early-career earnings reach $48,383. The median student debt is $25,096.
Honolulu Community College did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Honolulu, HI, Honolulu Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,174, with out-of-state students paying around $8,310. Early-career graduates earn a median of $59,006. Students borrow a median of $10,868 to complete a degree here.
Leeward Community College did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Pearl City, HI. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,214, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Leeward Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $21,784. The median student debt is $10,776.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo landed the #9 spot in Hawaii this year. Located in Hilo, HI, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a public institution. University Of Hawaii At Hilo posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. Students from in state pay about $7,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,141. Students borrow a median of $22,615 to complete a degree here.
Kauai Community College landed the #10 spot in Hawaii this year. Located in Lihue, HI, Kauai Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,388. Graduates go on to earn a median of $23,210 early in their careers. The median student debt is $5,500.
University Of Hawaii Maui College landed the #11 spot in Hawaii this year. Set in Kahului, HI, University Of Hawaii Maui College is a public institution. About 8% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $3,284, with out-of-state students paying around $8,420. University Of Hawaii Maui College graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,654. The median student debt is $11,824.
Windward Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. This public school is set in Kaneohe, HI. In-state tuition and fees average $3,194, while out-of-state students pay about $8,330. Early-career graduates earn a median of $32,654. The median student debt is $10,930.
Hawaii Community College placed #13 among the best graduate schools in Hawaii. This public school is set in Hilo, HI. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,204, with out-of-state students paying around $8,340. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,760 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $13,170.
Hawaii Medical College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Set in Honolulu, HI, Hawaii Medical College is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,927. Early-career graduates earn a median of $34,579. Graduates carry a median of $12,782 in student loans.
Hawaii Institute Of Hair Design came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Hawaii Institute Of Hair Design is a private for-profit school based in Honolulu, HI. Hawaii Institute Of Hair Design graduates report median early-career earnings of $16,699. The median student debt is $5,838.
Ibs School Of Cosmetology And Massage placed #16 among the best graduate schools in Hawaii. Based in Kahului, HI, Ibs School Of Cosmetology And Massage is a private for-profit institution.
University Of Phoenix Hawaii Campus did well this year, earning the #17 position. University Of Phoenix Hawaii Campus is a private for-profit school based in Kapolei, HI. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,099. The median student debt is $37,546.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.